This annual compilation explores the history of small colleges in five articles that focus on the "uses" of this history in facing current debates concerning institutional directions. A brief introduction by Harold S. Wechsler addresses the role of institutional history for the small college. The first article is "Celebrating Roots: Sesquicentennials and the Distinctiveness of the Liberal Arts College" by John S. Whitehead with additional comments by Jurgen Herbst and David B. Potts. It suggests that historians face a major challenge in reconciling the college-university dichotomy. The second paper is by Ted I. K. Youn and Karyn A. Loscocco and is titled "Institutional History and Ideology: The Evolution of Two Women's Colleges." It compares the contrasting decisions of two women's institutions, Wheaton College (Massachusetts) and Russell Sage College (New York), as they considered moving to coeducation in the light of each institution's history. Next, Yuval Dror in "The Hebrew Technion in Haifa, Israel (1902-1950): Academic and National Dilemmas" examines the role of the small technological institute in national development. The fourth paper, "Requiem for a Pioneer of Women's Higher Education: The Ingham University of Le Roy, New York, 1857-1892" by Richard L. Wing, points out the importance of the goals set during the founding period for understanding subsequent institutional history (and eventual demise). A final review essay, "Places Where Status Is Sought" by Nancy Hoffman, reviews books on the history of teaching, tracing the development of schools of education. (Individual papers contain reference notes.) (DB)